MA S2397

Establishes a minimum 1-year fare-free bus pilot program within the MBTA, covering at least 10 priority bus routes and 10 additional routes that maintained higher-than-average ridership during March-December 2020

Requires all Regional Transit Authorities (RTAs) in Massachusetts to operate a similar fare-free bus pilot program for at least 1 year, including at least one high-ridership route from the March-December 2020 period

Creates a 10-member MBTA fare-free advisory group and a separate RTA advisory group to oversee the pilots, including representatives from transit agencies, advocacy organizations, disability communities, and environmental justice municipalities

Mandates quarterly public meetings, semi-annual formal findings to oversight boards, and tracking of key metrics including ridership, equity impacts, on-time performance, cost savings versus fare revenue loss, and fare evasion impacts

Pilots must commence by December 31, 2026, with final reports due within 3 months of conclusion